In the 1960s, Geoffrey Clarke, as with many other artists from the period, was keen to experiment with new technologies and materials. It was the use of polystyrene and casting in aluminium that Clarke would embrace – allowing him to work quickly, and importantly cost effectively. In March 1965 Clarke was interviewed by Stuart Penrose for The Arts Review, and discussed his innovative new approach:

“Polystyrene, as you know, is a solid but light aerated packing material which costs about 6s. per cubic foot. Expanded polystyrene is, incidentally, about 98.5% air. For the most part I use a hot electric wire to cut into the polystyrene. To some extent the material dictates the shapes, although I have found there is a natural affinity between my designs and the way polystyrene can be cut. After I have finished the shapes I want, the work is then embedded in casting sand and molten aluminium is poured through a funnel into the sand mould filled by the polystyrene. The polystyrene evaporates simultaneously as the aluminium fills the mould. Later the set aluminium is ready to be dug out of the sand and thus you have your piece of sculpture in much less time than traditional methods could possibly allow. The advantages of polystyrene are therefore twofold, for me at least. Firstly, it allows me the chance to work directly in a manageable material and, secondly, there is the important factor of speed.” (Stuart Penrose, The Arts Review, March, 1965. Vol XVIII no. 4)

A similar work is held in the Arts Council Collection, Plane and 2 Slabs II, 1964, purchased from the artist in 1965.